Firefighter in Arkansas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Public safety

Arkansas employs 2,480 firefighters, with a statewide median of $39,690 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arkansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Firefighters Earn in Arkansas (May 2025)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for firefighters in major Arkansas markets:

What That Pay Is Worth in Arkansas

Prices in Arkansas run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 86.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $39,690 median stretches to roughly $45,673 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Arkansas (2024–2034)

Arkansas is projected to grow firefighters employment +7.7%, faster than the +3.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 200 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Arkansas License and Certification Requirements

Firefighter I / II certification (NFPA 1001) — regulated by the Arkansas fire departments / Arkansas Fire Academy.

1. Complete a fire academy (the Arkansas Fire Academy or a department-run academy).
2. Earn Firefighter I and II certification (NFPA 1001-based).
3. Add EMT certification — most departments require it — then apply to departments.

Official requirements: Arkansas fire departments / Arkansas Fire Academy →

Training in Arkansas

Competitive hiring; EMT (or paramedic) plus academy certs make you a stronger candidate. Many start as volunteers.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arkansas include:

• Black River Technical College — Certificate / Associate
• NorthWest Arkansas Community College — Certificate / Associate
• Southern Arkansas University Tech — Certificate / Associate

Where Firefighters Work in Arkansas

Real Arkansas fire departments that employ firefighters include:

• Ada Valley Fire Station — Adona
• Adona Volunteer Fire Department — Adona
• Alexander Central Fire Station — Alexander
• Alexander Fire Department Station 2 — Alexander
• Collegeville Volunteer Fire Department — Alexander
• Lake Norrell Area Fire Protection District — Alexander

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People drawn to public service, physical challenge, and team-based work with a clear civic purpose.

Think twice if: Shift work, physical fitness testing, fire and smoke exposure, and civil service hiring timelines sound prohibitive.

Why it's resilient: Firefighting requires physical presence, real-time judgment, community trust, and licensed skills that are inherently resistant to automation.

First Steps

Research your local fire department's recruitment cycle and start EMT-Basic training as the first practical step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arkansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 33-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Arkansas fire departments / Arkansas Fire Academy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arkansas wages · Arkansas licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.